Growing plants indoors can be an enjoyable hobby, but it will require some time and commitment, and you will need to know the proper soil, lighting and temperature for the plant you wish to grow. Additionally, there are several methods of growing plants in pots.
Inspect the area in which you plan to grow your plants before you do anything else. The potted plant should receive natural light, several hours per day. If your budget allows, you can also employ artificial light. You can use special indoor lamps and lights to replace natural sunlight. Temperature is the easiest factor for you to control, but be sure that your home’s temperature is right for the plant.
Choose a container that is the appropriate size for your potted plant. The bigger the plant, the bigger the pot should be. If you put a big plant in a small pot it can become unhealthy due to the roots’ inability to “breathe” properly and stunted growth. Similarly, small plant will usually look odd if placed in a large pot, although it may grow large enough to fit the pot. Or you can simply grow your plant in a smaller pot and transplant it to a bigger pot when it grows. You can also choose from various styles and sizes. As a general rule, the diameter of the container should be at least half the height of the plant. To prevent the roots from drowning, ensure the pot has draining holes in the bottom.
The next step is to look for the proper soil or growing medium. Because it doesn’t properly drain, garden soil is usually unsuitable. It might also contain insects or fungi that can be harmful to your plant. Instead opt for packaged potting soil, which can aerate the roots of the plant and help it hold moisture.
When the plant should be watered can be affected by several factors. Sun, rain, wind, heat and the type of plant you’re growing are among these factors.
You should water most plant regularly, although not to the drowning point. But some desert plants, such as aloe vera, may do better when their soil is allowed to dry out, and is then flooded with large amounts of water. For this reason, people who find it difficult to remember to water their plants regularly may do better with desert varieties. The amount of water any plant needs can vary each day.
Potted plants dry up more quickly than their counterparts that grow in the ground. Stick your finger into the soil to determine if the plant needs to be watered. If it is dry, then it needs to be watered.
Potted plants generally require fertilizers every two weeks. You flush the nutrients from the growing medium when you water a plant. Use organic fertilizers – especially if there are kids or pets around the area where you keep the pot, if you are growing an edible plant, or if the plant will be used for personal care or medicinal purposes.
Note that some plants are poisonous to humans and/or animals. Before you bring a plant into your home, thoroughly research it if you have children or pets in your home. (See Pets and Plant Poisoning for more information on this.)
Protect plants from harmful pests when you grown themin or around your home. Insects can enter your home and destroy your plant even if you house it indoors. To combat this problem, you can use one of the organic pesticides on the market.
Growing pot plants – whether inside the home, in a window box, on a patio or balcony, or in an outdoor garden, is a rewarding and worthwhile endeavor. Potted plants can provide herbs for teas or natural remedies, edible fruits and vegetables, fragrance, or simply decoration.
As is the case with any gardening project, growing indoor plants does require a bit of study and application of standard practices and proper growing techniques, but this will become easier with practice, and will be well worth the trouble.
About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn how to live cleaner lives. Learn more about sustainable living at her blog on Reusing Reducing and Recycling.
This article was originally posted at Grow Plants in Pots Easily.
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